Transport, fate and bioremediation of PCBs in freshwater systems
- Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States)
PCB monitoring studies were conducted on four riverine systems that varied in order, gradient, and substrate composition. Accumulation of PCBs was greater in fine-grained sediments with organic carbon content of 1 percent or more. Due to the short residence time of PCBs in water, downstream transport occurred mostly via erosion, suspension and resuspension of sediments and floodplain soils. Residues of PCBs in fish were lowest in the green sunfish and other species, higher in black bass, and highest in bottom feeders, (e.g., channel catfish, carp). Carp and catfish were the poorest indicators of real-time contamination but more useful in assessing historical conditions. Differences in PCB half-life in fish correlated with lipid content. Sunfish were the best indicators of current levels of contamination. PCB body burden in these species decreased markedly after curtailment of PCB outfall. Residues at or above 2 mg/Kg in sunfish decreased to 0.5 mg/Kg or less within 12 to 18 months. Percent tissue lipid was a major factor affecting the rate of metabolic degradation of PCBs in fish. High lipid content may prolong the biological half-life of PCBS, whereas low content may correlate with more rapid degradation, depending on the species. Sunfish, due to their localized range, lower lipid content, and ability to metabolize PCBs may be useful tools in the bioremediation of freshwater systems. They feed largely on primary consumers (e.g. detritivores, herbivores); are adaptable to a wide variety of warm water habitats; and management practices have been well established.
- OSTI ID:
- 197541
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137-; ISBN 1-880611-03-1; TRN: IM9612%%315
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) world conference, Vancouver (Canada), 5-9 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Second SETAC world congress (16. annual meeting): Abstract book. Global environmental protection: Science, politics, and common sense; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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